Officer finds home in California

Colten Shapley recently changed his police badge from the Lincoln Police Department to California. He made California part of his new "base" just three weeks ago.
Colten Shapley recently changed his police badge from the Lincoln Police Department to California. He made California part of his new "base" just three weeks ago.

When Colten Shapley finished his mission work in Arizona, he knew his next step in life would go one of two ways: He would either join the military or he would become a police officer.

Choosing the latter path, his road eventually led him to California. The newly-hired Shapley accepted a position as a patrol officer just three weeks ago with the California Police Department, and he could not be happier.

"This is a great department," Shapley said. "The community treats officers really well, and the other officers here are pretty happy. I want to be here."

Originally from Sedalia, Shapley began his law enforcement career after he graduated from the Central Missouri Police Academy in Warrensburg. From there, he patrolled the streets of Lincoln and climbed the ranks to sergeant.

But before answering radio calls, he helped to answer the call from another power.

"I was a missionary in Arizona for about two years," he said. "I started in Mesa and then moved up north to Payson, up in the mountains."

Shapley has been able to see an interesting parallel between his time as a missionary and his role as a police officer. This comparison has helped to guide him in his day-to-day life.

"I just really like to deal with people," he said. "They all come from different backgrounds and different situations. I don't just enforce the law, but I do what I can to console and counsel people and help them go down the path they want to go."

Even though he enjoyed his time in the desert, he is happy to be closer to his family in Sedalia.

"I'm really a base guy," he said. "I'm not a homebody, but I like to have a base where I can live and work."

In the meantime, Shapley is getting to know the people and general geography of his new base.